U.S. birth rate hits all-time low due to weak economic recovery: “The American Dream is … OK, we go to school, we graduate, we get good jobs, we buy a house, we have kids,” … “And it’s just like none of that has happened.”

Submitted by IWB, on July 10th, 2013

Baby bust? National birthrate hits an all-time low due to weak economic recovery

During the recession, the birthrate dropped after a high in 2007

The recession has been officially over for four years

The birthrate hit an all-time low in 2011 and stayed there in 2012

Economic uncertainty coupled with a general trend towards fewer births means there may not be a bounce-back in birthrates

The recession has been over for four years, but the birth rate in the U.S. continues to fall as many people struggle with a sluggish economy and financial uncertainty.

According to a recent analysis by the Pew Institute, since 2007 when there were a record 4,316,233 births, the number of births has been steadily declining, with 4,007,000 births in 2012 – the lowest number since 1998.

Analysts say that the birthrate is dictated by the economy.

Data: The CDC’s births and fertility rates graph shows a high in 2007 and an all-time low in 2011, remaining steady for 2012

The early years of adulthood are supposed to be a time of optimism and hope, but for many Americans now in their 20s it has instead been a period of uncertainty and frustration.

Hobbled by student loan debt, frustrated by careers that have been stymied by a weak job market — and frightened by watching their own parents suffer financial setbacks — many say they feel like they are getting off to a slow start. Even as the economy improves, that’s left some Millennials wondering if they’ll ever feel financially comfortable enough to have kids of their own.

“The American Dream is … OK, we go to school, we graduate, we get good jobs, we buy a house, we have kids,” said Daniel Flores, 27. “And it’s just like none of that has happened.”